For whatever reason, Dodge has decided that now is the time to revive the love-it-or-loathe-it Dart nameplate for its upcoming Alfa Romeo-based compact car. And we have to say, judging from the teasers Dodge released, the Dart will be quite the looker.
The exterior teaser shots reveal some of the Alfa’s Guilietta DNA, upon which the Dart will be based. Sharp headlights, dual exhausts, and a bold front fascia seem to evoke the Dodge Charger, though the 2013 compact will be FWD (and possibly available with AWD as well).
Three available engine choices will be a 2.0 liter 16V “Tigershark” engine, a 1.4 liter MutliAir turbo, and a 2.4 liter Tigershark MutliAir 4-banger. No word on horsepower numbers yet, though the Guilietta has a top engine choice of a 232 horsepower 4-cylinder.
1976 was the last year for the Dodge Dart here in America, though the Dart name lived on in Mexico and South America until as late as 1990. So it’s been a good 20 years since we had a new Dart…so the timing is about right we’d say to bring this nameplate back.